Vitamins

Couchpotato39

I just started the induction phase of Atkins yesterday. I have done LC diets in the past, but it has been awhile. I know you have to be careful about potassium levels at the beginning and that it wouldn't hurt to up your magnesium as well. My question is whether I should take supplements just for potassium and magnesium or if a multi-vitamin is better? Thoughts?

KnitOrMiss

For magnesium, use magnesium citrate (liquid, powder, or pill/capsule). Too much will have a laxative effect. While starting low carb, up your sodium and get lots of water. You can use half-salt (lite salt by morton's is a potassium supplement), but be forewarned of the symptoms of too much potassium. I found that I personally needed to watch my sodium (usually 4500 mg minimum during transition) and if that was in range, my potassium was good, but I apparently was already low in magnesium, so I did have to add that. Aside from that, I wouldn't worry about any others really unless you've been tested for deficiencies. Just a waste of money for most...

Dragonwolf

For magnesium, you can alternatively do soaks with Epsom salt or other magnesium salts. Magnesium absorbs easily through the skin, and you don't get the laxative effect, because the body will only absorb what it needs that way.

As for other vitamins, you shouldn't really need them unless you were already deficient or have extenuating circumstances like absorption issues or bariatric surgery.

Couchpotato39

Thanks!

GaleHawkins

In my case Vit D3 to move calcium and Vit K2 that tells calcium where to go are critical in my case.

KnitOrMiss

So, anyone know how much grassfed butter you need to get enough K2 to help with the whole calcium thing? I am so not enjoying the butter in my LOADED tea, but I'm happy to get the K2 at the same time as my Vit D3 and calcium!...

GaleHawkins

I think there is no real way to know the K2 levels in butter so I just do the Super K from LifeExtension to make sure I am getting both the 4 and 7 version of K2. At my age I am concerned about K2 to help clear any arterial plaque as well as strong teeth and bones. I am not married to brand names when it comes to vitamins but often fine sources of even brand names for 40-50% less from one source than another source. Like 90 capsules of the Super K goes for around $30 and I just stocked up when I found it for $15.99 a bottle from another source.

KnitOrMiss

GaleHawkins wrote: »

I think there is no real way to know the K2 levels in butter so I just do the Super K from LifeExtension to make sure I am getting both the 4 and 7 version of K2. At my age I am concerned about K2 to help clear any arterial plaque as well as strong teeth and bones. I am not married to brand names when it comes to vitamins but often fine sources of even brand names for 40-50% less from one source than another source. Like 90 capsules of the Super K goes for around $30 and I just stocked up when I found it for $15.99 a bottle from another source.

Yeah, NuMedica has the D3 + K2 together in my liquid form, so when my current bottle is gone, that's the direction I'm heading... I don't really have a way to buy online at the current moment - and no excess funds to play around trying things, but at nearing 40 myself, I'm concerned about many of the same factors you are, given my obese nature for almost 30 years and family history... I want to live happily/healthfully for as long as I can!

GaleHawkins

Some think taking K2 may greatly prevent D3 high dosage concerns. I am doing 20K units of Vit D3 daily because my Vit D levels have been in the 20's for two years now and at my annual check up this or next month I am hoping to be in the 60-80 range. As vit D numbers increase to a point the sites for K2 to attach increases I have read.

There are four of us so we run through vitamins pretty fast.

greenautumn17

Dragonwolf wrote: »

For magnesium, you can alternatively do soaks with Epsom salt or other magnesium salts. Magnesium absorbs easily through the skin, and you don't get the laxative effect, because the body will only absorb what it needs that way.

Wow! I did not know that. Thanks.

DittoDan

"Keto-flu" and Sufficient Intake of Electrolytes
Are You Having Charlie horse/leg cramps?
Need Potassium?

I hope this helps,

Dan the Man from Michigan
It's Ketogenic or Bariatric! How I Found the Ketogenic Diet
Blog #10 Keto: Abbreviations, Acronyms & Terminology Used on the LCD & Keto Discussion Groups
Blog #13 DittoDan's Milestone's, First's And Good Changes Since Starting the Ketogenic Diet
DittoDan's Keto Blogs
How I got Off of Diabetic Prescriptions Drugs Since I Started Keto
Blog #11 Really Good Keto Websites
Low Carb Discussion Group on MFP (LCD)
Ketogenic Diet Discussion Group on MFP